Shortest chapter yet. Sorry!

I hate rereading this story, because it's truly fanfiction-quality (in a negative way), but I guiltily enjoy writing some trash XD.

Carry Me Home

His mother worked so many shifts at the diner, that she didn't have much time off. That made it difficult to set a dinner date. Duo had to take her word for it that she wasn't purposefully avoiding meeting Heero.

So when she cancelled their plans for Thursday evening, because one of the other waitresses had called in sick, Duo decided that he couldn't wait any longer. It was the fourth time she had cancelled on them, but never more last minute than this time. He wanted the two most important people in his life to meet. He probably also wanted to prove to Heero that his mother wasn't avoiding him.

He would take Heero to the diner where she worked and the two could meet while she'd serve them the daily special and milkshakes. And maybe join them for desserts, since he expected it to be a slow evening at the establishment. It would be too early for club-goers to carbo-load before a long night of dancing and drinking.

When he had come to pick up his boyfriend, the younger man wasn't ready yet, even though Duo hadn't been early. Still, he didn't mind waiting a little while, while Heero finished up in the bathroom. He sat at the dining room table, still wearing his leather jacket, having not expected it to take as long as it did. He tapped his fingers on the table and looked to the ajar door. He listened to Heero brush his teeth and making dissatisfied noises. He was about to ask what was wrong, when the pregnant man exclaimed:

"I can't meet your mother like this!" The door was pulled open and Heero stood in the doorway, with his arms limp at his sides and the toothbrush hanging from his mouth not dissimilarly. "It looks like I have a beer gut and my face is all puffy," he said, with white froth in the corners of his mouth and his pronunciation off due to the toothbrush being in the way of his tongue and pulling on his lower lip.

It was a challenge not to laugh at his boyfriend, but Duo knew he had to bite back the sound. Heero's distraught expression was genuine and it would take little to get him angry or upset. Duo was slowly figuring out the pitfalls of Heero's hormonal imbalance. More often than not, though, it was privately amusing to him. This was no exception. Outwardly, he was sympathetic, but before he could even offer any reassuring words, Heero stepped back to the sink and continued brushing his teeth. Scrubbing angrily, he regarded his reflection with disdain.

Duo got up from his seat and joined the other in the small space of the bathroom, coming to stand behind him. Their gazes met in the mirror and Duo tried a smile. It relieved him to see Heero smiling back shyly. It was apparent that the man was embarrassed, now, at his outburst. Heero wasn't oblivious to what the hormones were doing to him. But he needn't be embarrassed.

"You look great," Duo said, meaning it. "You always look great. But, irrational or not, you are allowed to be upset by the changes your body goes through."

Heero tilted his head and let out a sigh that released the last of his frustration. "Thanks."

"Now finish up." He playfully slapped his ass and stepped out. "I'm starving."

He wasn't really. He just wanted to get this introduction over with. So his mom could stop being weird and Heero could stop being insecure about the ordeal.

"Can I drive?" Heero asked as they approached the car.

"No." He grinned and held the passenger side door open for his lover instead. His car was his baby. He furrowed his brows at the innocent enough thought. His 'baby'. That was wrong to think now.

Heero slid into the seat, sulking, putting up a good show.

Arriving at the diner, he held the door open for the other once more. The bell rang overhead. The two walked in hand-in-hand.

Duo knew his mother very well and he had never known her not to appreciate surprises. Yet, when she turned their way and noticed them, she looked ambushed. She couldn't hide it quick enough with a smile for Duo not to notice.

This had been a mistake. But he didn't know why. She had said she wanted to meet Heero.

Maybe Heero hadn't caught the split second of horror on her face. He was nothing but disarmingly kind when he was the first to close the distance between them and reach a hand out to her.

Her gaze darted down to the rounded belly, poking out between the open sides of Heero's denim jacket. Heero definitely did notice that. He pulled at this jacket, self-conscious, trying to cover himself. But it was a little too small for his waist now. In spite of everything, he said: "I'm so happy to finally get to meet you."

"You too," she let slip tersely.

Duo had to bite his tongue not to call her out on her unwelcoming behavior. He didn't want to draw any more attention to it, hoping it would instead blow over; that she'd become as instantly enamored with the Japanese man as Duo had. "I figured this meeting was long overdue. And boy's gotta eat anyway."

"Eat for two, in fact," Heero joked.

"Sure. Sure. Take a seat." She motioned towards one of the empty booths and the couple sat down next to each other. She pulled her notepad free from the pocket of her rainbow flag apron – to match her vest – and she asked: "What can I get you?"

Duo chuckled. "Can't you sit down with us for a minute first?"

"Honey, I'm working."

There was only one other booth taken in the small diner and the group of friends had already been served their meals and were talking loudly while popping fries into their mouths.

"I guess I have a minute," she conceded and she slipped into the seat across from them. "How far along are you?"

That was a dumb question. She knew math well enough to figure out the answer herself.

"Three months," Heero replied.

"Hm, I still remember the first trimester, from when I was pregnant with Duo. It was rough."

"It was. I'm glad it's over."

"Yeah. I was puking all over the place. It wasn't just morning sickness. I was sick all day, every day."

"Mom. Let's dial down the puke-talk, yeah?"

"Right." She folded her hands and the bracelets jingled. It rang in a long silence.

His brain was scrambling to find something to say that didn't sound like something he was saying solely to fill the silence. Before he couldn't think of anything, his mother blurted:

"So who's the baby for?"

He widened her eyes at the insensitive question. It was unnecessary too, since she knew the answer to this one as well. He had told her.

"Uhm, I offered to be a surrogate for my two closest friends."

"That's very generous."

It was a gross understatement, still Heero said: "Thank you."

"Don't you want kids yourself?"

Heero shot an uncertain look Duo's way. "Uh, not yet."

"But you do want kids? You like kids?"

"Yes. Of course, but I-"

"Don't you think it's going to be very hard to give up your baby?"

"Mom." Duo glared at her, interrupting the interrogation-style conversation.

But Heero responded to her anyway, remaining remarkably calm when – lately – he could get teary-eyed over not getting a packet of ketchup to open. "It's not my baby. I'm only a surrogate."

"Sweetheart," the pet name was void, "six months from now – sooner actually – you are not going to feel that way. It's going to feel like your baby. And then you have to give it away."

"Mom!"

She looked at him defiantly.

"Duo, it's fine. Seriously, it's fine." Heero touched Duo's upper arm, causing him to jerk his angry glare away from his mother. "I know it's going to be difficult, Sylvia. But I love my friends and they deserve to be parents. They are going to be great dads and I am happy to be able to help them with that."

She reached out and she grabbed Heero's hands. "You're a sweet kid, Heero," she said and for the first time she sounded genuine. "But you have no idea what this is going to do to you. And what this is going to do to my son…" Her expression became sorrowful when she turned to face Duo.

He stared at her incredulously. He had not been expecting this from her at all.

She squeezed Heero's hands before letting go and then produced her notebook again. "What would you boys like to eat?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"Duo, let's just order."

At Heero's insistence, Duo resisted the urge to get up and storm out of the diner. They ordered their meals and his mom pushed herself up out of the seat and headed towards the kitchen window to pass along their order.

"I'm so sorry. I have no idea where that came from."

"I do. She's protecting you."

"From what?" He asked with a snort.

"From me. From all this baggage I'm burdening you with."

"You are not a burden," he stressed, looking into his eyes, needing him to believe that.

Heero smiled. A sad, small smile.

A few minutes later, she returned with their meals and milkshakes. She was nothing but smiles – a very pleasant and attentive waitress. Heero convinced Duo not to stay angry. The three of them made some small talk whenever she walked by their booths as more patrons started coming in. Now that she had said her peace, she seemed more approachable and friendly at least.

But he'd confront her privately some other time.

They were considering whether they should leave or order dessert, when Duo's name got called out.

He twisted in his seat and felt apprehensive watching five of his friends burst into the diner, Dorothy and Mike among them. He shot a look at Heero and meant to apologize in advance, but the couple was stormed before he could say anything. Friends clapped his shoulders and ruffled his hair, as they chastised him for not "being around much" anymore. His life had changed a lot over the past three months. He didn't go to clubs anymore and actually didn't spend much time with his friends at all, since going to clubs was basically all they ever did. He was happy living a slower, quieter life with Heero. Dates usually ended up being "Netflix-and-chill" and he was fine with that.

Everyone took turns shaking Heero's hand.

Dorothy and her twin brother Zechs slid into the seat across from the couple and the other three took the booth behind the two blondes. Mike sat farthest away and was mostly interested in the menu. Adam and Howie sat turned around in the bench, peering over the twin's shoulders.

"So this is who you've been doing," Adam said crudely, instead of "what" he had been doing.

He laughed it off. The guys were rude, he was used to it. Heero didn't appear bothered either. Still, with the way Adam leered at Heero, he couldn't resist scooting closer to him on the bench and eventually even wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

Wanting to get a more innocent conversation started, Heero asked the three friends he shared thye booth with: "So which one of you was the first to start growing out their hair?"

Dorothy and Zechs both wore their long, platinum hair loose, unlike Duo who always kept it neatly braided. The twins both having long hair was something between the two of them. It was a coincidence that Duo had also been growing out his hair when he met the two years ago. They were saying as much, when Adam interrupted:

"Like long hair, do ya?"

"I guess," Heero replied with a shrug.

Adam scrubbed his shaved head and feigned disappointment. But his act couldn't hide his grin. "Sucks to be me. Although, I have long hair too. Long, dark curls…"

The twins expressed their disgust at the remark.

"What are you guys all doing here?" Duo asked.

"We're just grabbing a bite to eat before going to Stone. They're hosting a wet T-shirt contest. Another charity thing."

"You should come with," Adam chimed in, never taking his eyes off Heero.

"I don't think people will want to see that."

Duo thought to himself that he wouldn't mind seeing Heero that way at all.

"No, I don't mean to compete. I meant to see me win."

Heero laughed at Adam's overconfidence, but Duo didn't like how forward his friend was being. He was used to Adam being this way, but he wasn't used him aiming his off-brand of "charm" at a boyfriend of his. It irked him. It made him feel possessive and protective.

"You guys could come," Dorothy said in all seriousness. "It'll be fun."

"I'm too tired and I have work tomorrow. But you could go, if you want," Heero said to his lover.

Duo had no intention of going to that bar and cheering on a bunch of drunk guys who were pretending to contribute to whatever charity was the talk of the town at the moment.

"So how did you get pregnant?" Adam blurted, leaning further over the back of the bench and the twins.

Heero let out a stuttering laugh.

"That's a question for a high school biology teacher."

"No, fuck you, Duo. I know how XYX pregnancy works. Sort of, I guess. What I mean is, you're not keeping this kid, right? Just cookin' it up for a friend, right?"

Finally, Adam was starting to get on Heero's nerves as well, after he had been a saint all over. "Right," he responded curtly. He still fought to maintain a smile, having a misguided notion that he needed to impress Duo's friends for the benefit of their relationship.

"So, like, did you let him fuck you once as a business transaction, or did you shove a turkey baster up there?"

Duo slammed his hand down on the table, earning him silence and shocked stares. "Shut the fuck up, you idiot."

Adam raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just asking! I'm curious!"

"No turkey baster, you sick fuck. He's a surrogate."

"Surrogate, so genetically that means… what?" he kept staring at Heero.

"It means that genetically I contribute nothing. They used an anonymous egg donor and fertilized it with one of their sperm."

"Well… it's too bad that the kid won't be pretty like you."

Duo rolled his eyes at the way Adam purred the words.

"You know, if Duo's ever not enough for you – sexually… I'd volunteer as tribute."

Duo clenched his hands into fists. He knew Adam was only joking and that he shouldn't overreact. He used to be able to laugh at these antics. But it wasn't funny to him anymore.

"I may not have learned this from any biology teachers, but I do know you get real horny and tight-"

"That's enough," Duo barked. He fished money out of his wallet and threw it onto the table. "We're leaving. Let's go." He got up and offered Heero a hand to help him scoot out of the seat.

"Duo. Shit. I'm sorry!" Adam tried.

Duo didn't listen to him. He said goodbye to his mother from across the serving bar and hooked an arm around Heero's waist as he guided him out of the diner. The cool air of the night provided relief from his rage. His flustered face chilled. The last of the winter cold prickled on his cheeks. They were halfway towards his car, walking in silence, when Duo stopped and shook his head, wishing he could clear this entire night from his memories. "I'm so sorry. That was… awful. My mom was awful. My friends were awful!"

"It's okay." Heero pressed himself against Duo's side, tucking his head under his chin.

"It's not. That was fucked up. You shouldn't have been treated like that! My mom acted like you are a threat – she did the same thing to Solo in the beginning. And my friends behaved like you're an oddity at a circus, or something. Fuck!"

Heero wrapped his arms around him and squeezed him. The tip of his nose pressed into Duo's chest. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The embrace was all Duo needed; to calm him down and to assure him that he needn't feel guilty, that he wasn't responsible for how others behaved. "Will you please come back to my place tonight?" He pleaded into the wild hair. "I want you in my bed."

Heero hummed his agreement against his chest.

I would have pasted the next chapter onto here if the time jump didn't make that so unnatural. You can expect it to be up soon.

I'm pretty excited about the story that is currently (slightly) in the lead to get a sequel!